Waldoboro is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 5,154 at the 2020 census. Waldoboro was incorporated in 1773 and developed a reputation as a ship building and port facility from the banks of the Medomak River. The town's strong agricultural and fishing legacy continues today, with recently renewed enthusiasm for traditional natural fiber production, cheesemaking, farm brewing, fermentation, soapmaking, and other lost agrarian arts. Waldoboro is becoming a popular destination, with miles of scenic river frontage, a thriving arts community, and historical interest in its past as a German settlement.
History
In 1629 the area that would become Waldoboro was granted to John Beauchamp of London and Thomas Leverett of Boston, England, and was known as the Muscongus Patent. The patent lay dormant until 1719 when Leverett's great-grandson, John Leverett, President of Harvard College, revived the ancient claim and formed the Lincolnshire Proprietors, also known as the Ten Proprietors, so named for the ten shares distributed, one to each member. General Samuel Waldo of Boston acquired a controlling interest in the patent in 1729 and it henceforward become known as the Waldo Patent.
First called Broad Bay, the village was settled between 1733 and 1740, but suffered a devastating attack as part of the Northeast Coast Campaign (1746) by Native Americans allied with New France during King George's War. Houses were burned and inhabitants killed or carried away as captives. Survivors fled to the nearby settlements of St. George or Pemaquid. Peace returned with the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.
In 1752–1753, Samuel Waldo, son of the general Jonathan Waldo, visited Germany and recruited about 1,500 immigrants to Waldoboro on the ship Lydia. Some were followers of Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli but they did not immigrate for religious reasons like the Pilgrims but for "...increasing their worldly goods.", most from the Rhineland. Waldo hired Sebastian Zouberbuhler as an agent. Many settled on the western side of Broad Bay, although in 1763–1764 the land was claimed under the Pemaquid Patent. About 300 residents moved to the Moravian settlements in what is now Forsyth County, North Carolina, but the remainder bought their properties. On June 29, 1773, the township was incorporated as Waldoborough, named for the original proprietor.
Waldoboro became county seat of Lincoln County in 1786, but the designation would shift to Wiscasset in 1880. Farms produced hay and potatoes. The Knox and Lincoln Railroad arrived and spurred the town's development. Industries would include an iron foundry, an oakum mill, a carding and cloth-dressing mill, a grain mill, sawmills and planing mills, furniture and molding mills, a door, sash and blind factory, and a carriage factory. There were also marble and granite yards and a pottery. But ship building was the principal business, with eight large vessels built in 1880. During the 19th century Maine became famous for its great shipbuilding center. Waldoboro was the launching port for the Governor Ames in 1888, the first five masted schooner. The Governor Ames was built in Waldoboro's Leavitt Storer Shipyard. A port of entry, the town features an 1857 custom house designed by Ammi B. Young.
Waldoboro is also known for the Waldoboro style of hooked rugs, the Waldoboro green neck turnip, Moody's Diner and Morse's Sauerkraut, and Fawcetts Toy Museum.
Places listed on the National Register of Historic Places
German Church and Cemetery
Hutchins House (Hall Funeral Home) Ludwig, Godfrey, House Reed, Co. Isaac G. House U.S. Customhouse and Post Office Waldo Theatre built by Carroll Cooney Waldoborough Town Pound Wetherill Site
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Waldoboro is located at the head of navigation on the Medomak River.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,075 people, 2,171 households, and 1,364 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 2,651 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.